Navy successfully test-fires India-Israel developed Barak-8 surface-to-air missile from INS Kolkata

The Indian Navy has successfully carried out the maiden test of the long-range Barak-8 surface-to-air missile from INS Kolkata.

Navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma had said on Tuesday the test would take place after 12 AM. The Barak-8 missile is being developed in joint collaboration by India and Israel. While two tests had been successfully conducted onboard Israeli ships, this is the first time that the test was held onboard an Indian one.

The Barak-8 has been designed to defend against a variety of short-to-long-range airborne threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, drones and projectiles.

"There has been a quantum jump in air defence capability of Indian Navy. LRSAMs being fitted in capital warships progressively," said a defence ministry statement.

It incorporates a state-of-the-art phased array multi- mission radar, two-way data link, and a flexible command and control system that enables it to simultaneously engage multiple targets day and night and in all-weather conditions.

The missile system is being jointly developed by IAI, DRDO, Israel's Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure, Elta Systems, Rafael and other companies.